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Special deliveries? Postal worker in Gloucester arraigned on drug charge

E-mail|Link|Comments () August 3, 2010 12:16 PM

By Sydney Lupkin, Globe Correspondent, and Martin Finucane, Globe Staff

A US Postal Service worker who delivers mail in Gloucester pleaded not guilty today to drug possession charges.

Stephen Hale, 30, of Rockport was allegedly found with drugs when he was arrested Monday on his route. He faces charges of Class B drug possession, attempting to commit a crime, and larceny under $250. He was arraigned today before Gloucester District Court Judge Ellen Flatley. He had posted $5,000 cash bail Monday night, according to court records.

A Gloucester police report said police became suspicious of Hale when a defendant in another case told them that he had bought oxycontin from Hale while Hale was working on his postal route. The man also said Hale had come to his house and used oxycontin while he was on duty.

The man agreed with police, who were working with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, to exchange text messages with Hale trying to set up a sale, the report said.

When police arrested Hale after following him on his route, they found the prescription drugs Suboxone and Lexapro in his possession, the report said. They also found Hale's cellphone with the text messages on it.

After his arrest, Hale allegedly admitted to investigators that on four or five occasions he had sold oxycontin while working at his job. He also allegedly took a $10 bill from an envelope he was supposed to deliver.